"Our Music, Our Mountains, Our Memories"

This web site is a preview to a book project I am working on ( Photographer Susi Lawson ) I am striving to produce a beautiful volume of Stories , Portraits and Music by the talented Appalachian Musicians of Southwest , Virginia (and neighboring areas). This area is so rich in Old Time Music and the places and people that continue to pass down our mountain music are some of the most talented and humble folks I have ever met. They share their music and memories freely and generously from the heart and it has struck a chord within me that will resonate the rest of my days. My wish is to share their stories and pay tribute to them via this web site, and eventually a book to celebrate their contribution to our life here in these Blue Ridge Mountains. The name "Singing at the Clothesline" comes from my connection to Old Time Music (and have since found that many connect to this memory as well) I was born in Wytheville , Va. But I grew up in Hampton.(Moved back in 1998) My folks brought us back every summer to visit the grand folks and I was probably about 5 or 6 years old when I was hanging laundry with my Grandmother 'Helen Hunley. She started to sing "In the Pines , in the pines, where the sun never shines and you shiver when the cold wind blows" and I was struck by her wonderfully rich voice singing out so loudly in the sunshine ! To this day, the site of fresh laundry hanging on the line brings a smile to my face and the instant recollection of that wonderful old tune and my grandmothers face uplifted to the blue sky !

God Bless our old time musicians who continue to keep the memories and music alive!

(This site was just started 6-5-13 so please check back for updates as I add more info when I can, Thank you!)